New Year’s in Hamilton and Burlington: What’s open and closed

Here’s a look at what will be open and closed around Hamilton and Burlington as we ring in the new year.

Getting around

• HSR is free after 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with buses operating on extended Sunday service on most routes. On New Year’s Day, buses are running on Sunday/holiday service.
• ATS-DARTS is on special holiday service until 2 a.m. on Dec. 31. Rides are free after 6 p.m. On Monday, DARTS is on a holiday schedule.
• Burlington Transit and Handi-Van services are extended until 2 a.m. on Dec. 31. There is no service on New Year’s Day.
• GO Transit is running on a Sunday schedule with late-night service on New Year’s Eve. All GO Transit rides are free after 7 p.m.
• In Toronto, TTC service is also free after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve

• LCBO stores will close at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and re-open on Jan. 2.
• Many retail stores are closing early on Dec. 31. Best to call ahead.
• Lime Ridge Mall, Eastgate Square, Burlington Mall, Mapleview and Jackson Square are open until 5 p.m.
• The Art Gallery of Hamilton is closing at 4 p.m.
• Hamilton Public Library branches are closed
• Fireworks displays are happening throughout the Golden Horseshoe region, including in Niagara Falls, where a free outdoor concert is planned, and at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square.  In Guelph, Rotary is hosting an event called Sparkles in the Park at Riverside Park, with fireworks scheduled for 8 p.m.

New Year’s Day

Closed

• Government offices in Hamilton and Burlington are closed and re-open on Jan. 2.
• Banks, the LCBO and Beer Stores are closed
• Local malls (Eastgate Square, Jackson Square, Lime Ridge Mall, Mapleview and Burlington Mall)
• Canada Post
• The Art Gallery of Hamilton
• Waste collection — your pickup will be one day later if it falls on or after Jan. 1.
• Recreation centres, seniors’ centres and arenas
• Hamilton civic museums
• The Hamilton Farmers’ Market reopens on Jan. 4.
• Hamilton Public Library branches (re-opening Jan. 2)

Open

• Movie theatres
• Various malls in the GTA, including Square One, Eaton Centre, Vaughan Mills
• Toronto tourist destinations, such as Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, Toronto Zoo, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Royal Ontario Museum